In education, we believe that parents should have options for public schools and that no family’s destiny should be determined by its zip code.
Don deLaski watched his public high school in Washington, DC fall from a source of community pride in the 1940s to the “No Child Left Behind” failing schools list in the last decade. We see public charter schools, with accountability, autonomous leadership, but still a public mandate, as a scalable solution in chronically failing districts. With 43% of the city’s public school students in charters (many run by social visionaries) and a high-functioning authorizer monitoring academic results, Washington DC is a national model.
The Foundation has supported college access programs and is just beginning to fund entrepreneurs working to harness technology and new learning models to improve the pipeline from high school completion through college to professional careers.
District of Learning is a program that bridges learning across school, home, community, and online environments. The Foundation supports District of Learning’s connected learning movement in Washington, DC.
EIP at George Mason University is an innovative college prep program for first-generation college-bound eighth to 12th-graders. The Foundation supported EIP’s summer academy for eighth graders and a weekend tutoring service.
EdFuel aims to build and sustain top-quality leadership in the education reform sector. The Foundation has funded EdFuel’s launch in the Washington, DC region.
The Education Design Lab was founded in 2013 to redefine higher education models to ensure that they effectively equip students to pursue 21st-century careers. The Foundation has provided start-up and operating support to the Lab.
Enstitute was a start-up initiative that worked with entrepreneurs to educate tomorrow’s workforce. The Foundation supported it to marry its program with some of the experiences and competencies that a traditional university student acquires.
ERN addresses the growing achievement gap in America’s public schools through advocacy and thought leadership on education reform. The Foundation supports its efforts to educate DC political leaders on key issues in education reform.
NewSchools is committed to transforming public education through powerful ideas and passionate entrepreneurs. The Foundation has invested in NewSchools DC Fund II to strengthen the city’s entrepreneurial charter school sector.
PIQE creates partnerships between parents, students and educators to further students’ academic success. The Foundation supported its Parent Involvement Education sessions in California and founded PIQE’s program in DC.
The Academy, run in partnership with George Mason University, seeks to enrich the lives of community members by providing the highest caliber of artistic instruction. The Foundation provided founding support.
“Shadow Project teams with teachers to close the achievement gap for students in special education by providing an innovative, results-based classroom program. The Foundation supports the goals in its current strategic plan.
Sitar Arts Center advances the critical life skills of underserved youth and prepares them for achievement in the 21st century through arts education. The Foundation supports Sitar’s evaluation of 21st century skills development in students.
StudentsFirst, founded by former DC Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, is working to put students’ success front and center. The Foundation was a founding investor in this effort to advocate for effective teachers, options and transparency.
Thurgood Marshall is a college preparatory public charter high school in DC serving the lowest income community in the city. The Foundation provided general operating support to the Academy.
VineCorps closes gaps in opportunity and achievement for teenagers in Prince George’s County, MD by offering personally-tailored educational support. The Foundation is supporting its efforts to build its capacity and expand its reach.